Vehicle mount apparatus having asymmetrical variable stiffness

Abstract

A vehicle mount apparatus has asymmetrical variable stiffness capabilities adapted to support an assembly body from both sides of a vehicle relative to a vehicle body. Thereby, minimizing vertical and horizontal vibrations generated by an engine in the assembly body and vibrations generated by the assembly body relative to the vehicle body during sudden starts and sudden stops and resulting in reducing trembling of the vehicle and improving ride characteristics of the vehicle.

1 . A vehicle mount apparatus having an asymmetrical variable stiffness, the apparatus comprising: 
 a cushion member having two cushion block parts each symmetrically arranged about a vertical line and positioned in the fore and aft direction relative to a vehicle body;    vehicle body brackets each secured at the vehicle body and contacting inclines of the two cushion block parts;    assembly body brackets each contacting the inclines of the two cushion block parts and mounted thereon with an assembly body;    variable stiffness means so mounted as to vary the stiffness of the two cushion block parts;    sensing means for detecting the changes of accelerated velocity of a vehicle; and    a controller for receiving a signal from the sensing means to control the variable stiffness means.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the variable stiffness means comprises: 
 an Electro-Rheological (ER) fluid filled in each cushion block parts;    electrode plates each installed to apply electromagnetic fields to the ER fluid; and    power amplifiers for applying electricity to the electrode plates.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the variable stiffness means comprises: 
 a Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid filled in each cushion block parts;    electromagnets each installed to apply electromagnetic fields to the MR fluid; and    power amplifiers for applying electricity to the electromagnets.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means is an accelerated velocity sensor for sensing an accelerated velocity of a vehicle.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means is a speed sensor for sensing speed of a vehicle.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means is an engine revolution sensor for measuring revolution of an engine.  
   
   
       7 . A vehicle mount apparatus having an asymmetrical variable stiffness, comprising: 
 a sensor for detecting a change in velocity of a vehicle component;    a controller configured to receive output from said sensor; and    a variable stiffness apparatus configured and dimensioned to receive output from said controller and adjust a stiffness of said variable stiffness apparatus accordingly.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said variable stiffness apparatus is an engine or transmission mount.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said variable stiffness apparatus further comprises an electromagnet and magneto-rheological fluid.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said variable stiffness apparatus further comprises an electrode plate and electro-rheological fluid.  
   
   
       11 . A vehicle mount apparatus having asymmetrical variable stiffness, comprising: 
 an engine mount including a fluid wherein a stiffness of said fluid can be adjusted.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said engine mount further comprises an electromagnet and said fluid is a magneto-rheological fluid.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said engine mount further comprises an electrode plate and said fluid is an electro-rheological fluid.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a sensor for detecting a change of speed of a vehicle component; and    a controller configured to receive output from said sensor and adjust the stiffness of the engine mount accordingly.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said engine mount is a transmission mount.